Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals

Baptisms

Baptism is a sign of initiation into the Christian faith and entry into membership of the Church. It is the start of a journey into the Christian life.

At St Matthew’s we welcome the baptism of infants whose parents are willing to express faith in Jesus Christ. We are also pleased to offer thanksgivings for infants (see below).

We also celebrate adult baptism, where those being baptised are given the opportunity to give a personal testimony of faith in Jesus Christ.

If you would like to know more about baptism at St Matthew’s then please contact the Church Office.

Thanksgiving

We welcome families who would like to give thanks for their new baby before God, their families and friends and the Church. Thanksgivings are becoming more common for those parents who would like to mark the wonder of a new arrival in the family but feel that in all conscience they cannot express faith in Jesus Christ.

If you would like to know more about thanksgiving at St Matthew’s then please contact the Church Office.

Weddings

Weddings are always a time for celebration at St Matthew’s and getting married in church has just got easier thanks to a change in the law. Form more information visit Your Church Wedding.

We welcome couples who live in the parish, as well as those who are members of the congregation or on the electoral roll or have some connection through parents, previous residence, or baptism at St Matthew’s.

The worship area in St Matthew’s can comfortably seat up to 340.

If you are interested in getting married at St Matthew’s then please contact the Church Office.

Funerals

The loss of a loved one can be a time of great grief, shock, stress, and sometimes anger. Holding a funeral in a Christian church can be an opportunity to express some of those emotions in the context of a loving community, and receive support at a lonely and difficult time.

The first step in organising a funeral is to contact a funeral director, who will make all the practical arrangements on your behalf. However, if you’d like one of the clergy at St Matthew’s to conduct the funeral service of your loved one, or if you’d like to hold the service here, do contact the Church Office.

If at any time, no matter how long after the event, you’d like to talk through your feelings with a member of staff, do contact one.

When planning a funeral you may find the Funeral Costs Help site useful. Though we can’t endorse it, it does seem to be independent and impartial.

Fees

The 2016 Fees list details both statutory and extra fees for Baptisms, Wedding Banns, Weddings and Funerals.